The Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota, has had a
makeover.
The large fibre-glass yellow and green domes at the top have
been replaced by steel sculptures.
But the main feature – thousands and thousands of corn cobs
artistically arranged around the outside – are there again this fall.
The Corn Palace has been steeped in agricultural
tradition since 1892.
A new marquee, larger corn murals and a walk-out
balcony have been added outside.
Tbe $4-million renovation also features new LED
lighting that plays dramatically across the building.
"It needed a facelift," said Katie Knutson,
director of the Mitchell
Convention and Visitors Bureau.
"It needed something to draw a different crowd."
The Corn Palace, which has an arena for concerts
and high school and college basketball games, draws hundreds of thousands of
visitors each year. Knutson and others are hoping the new look will attract a
new generation of tourists — and bring back previous visitors interested in
seeing what's changed.
